4 June 2007

3 minute read

North America

Springdale, Ark., Monday, June 4, 2007 –The largest single protein donation made in California will help ensure those in need have more to eat, thanks to Tyson Foods and its team members. In anticipation of National Hunger Awareness Day on June 5, Tyson announced plans today to donate more than 600,000 pounds of protein over the next two weeks to 17 California food bank members of America’s Second Harvest—the Nation’s Foodbank Network. The donations will be delivered by Tyson trucks and company team members who will be on site to help with the unloading.

The donation is part of Tyson’s ongoing commitment to be a leader and supporter of hunger-relief initiatives. Since 2000, the company has donated more than $3 million and 42 million pounds of chicken, beef and pork products to more than 400 hunger-relief agencies nationwide.

“Our team members are passionate about the fight against hunger,” said Ed Nicholson, director of community relations for Tyson Foods. “We are making this donation to support so many food banks and organizations who are working tirelessly in the fight against hunger in California. We are proud to be associated with these agencies and the good work they do.”

The need for hunger relief in California is great. The USDA Economic Research Service “Household Food Security in the United States” survey released in 2006 reported an average of 11.7 percent of California households were food insecure between 2003 and 2005. The American Dietetic Association defines hunger insecurity as "limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways." The America’s Second Harvest’ Almanac of Hunger and Poverty in America 2006, published in June 2006, reported an estimated 13.2 percent of Californians lived below the poverty level. The figure is based on a three-year average on the years studied from 2002 to 2004.

“We are grateful for Tyson’s donation to our food banks in California,” said Vickie B. Escarra, president and CEO of America’s Second Harvest. “Tyson’s support of National Hunger Awareness Day is a tremendous contribution to our mission of helping to provide food and grocery products to people at risk of hunger. Donations of poultry and other high protein foods are especially valuable, as they help us provide our clients with healthful and highly nutritious foods.” Last year alone, Tyson and its team members held more than 60 food donation events. Protein is consistently one of the least donated yet most needed items at food banks. The company works closely with two leading organizations in the fight against hunger: America’s Second Harvest--The Nation’s Food Bank Network; and Share Our Strength.

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